Thursday, 27 February 2025 12:55

JCB’s hydrogen engine gains approval from EU authorities

Written by  Mark Daniel
Eleven licensing authorities across Europe have been approved for the general sale of hydrogen-powered machines. Eleven licensing authorities across Europe have been approved for the general sale of hydrogen-powered machines.

After establishing its own engine facility in the UK in 2004, followed by an Indian plant in 2010, JCB currently builds around 500 of its Dieselmax engines every day and hit the one million units milestone in late 2024.

Over the last few years, the enthusiasm of JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford for hydrogen combustion appears to be starting to pay dividends, as 11 licensing authorities across Europe have been approved for the general sale of hydrogen-powered machines. These include the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, France and Spain, with more countries expected to follow suit later in 2025.

A JCB spokesperson suggests that clearing this hurdle is a landmark moment in the development of this alternative fuel, with the decisions reached by the company’s dogged determination.

Looking at the broader picture, other engine manufacturers have adapted engines to run on hydrogen and offer them as a variant of their ICE offerings. By contrast, JCB has taken a more integrated approach, by designing machines for hydrogen power rather than optioning an add-on.

Sir Bamford believes that starting the new year with these certifications in place in so many countries bodes well for the future of hydrogen combustion technology. He also notes that JCB has shown that hydrogen combustion is a proper zero emissions answer for construction and agricultural equipment and has a major part to play in moving away from reliance upon mineral oil.

The Type approval/ certification of the hydrogen engines will pave the way for the sale and use of them right across the UK and Europe, while also complementing battery- powered electric industrial and construction machines.

The company claims to have produced 130 evaluation engines which are currently powering backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and generator sets, leading to real world testing of the equipment on customers’ sites at an advanced stage.

As well as producing a viable alternative to diesel power, JCB is also looking closely at the distribution and storage of hydrogen, having teamed up with investment specialists HYCAP, and an Oxford-based hydrogen engineering company called HydraB, to form a new joint venture called HyKit, to deliver the required fuelling and storage infrastructure. This year the new company will build a range of products to assist hydrogen distribution, including mobile compressors, storage tanks and refuelling systems.

HydraB, formed by Lord Bamford’s son Jo, has a wealth of experience in this field, having spent a great deal of time and energy promoting hydrogen as an alternative fuel in the UK, much of it gained by being owners of Wrightbus in Northern Ireland.

More like this

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards, which recognises the top-performing dealerships across the New Holland network.

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to numerous overseas markets.

Giltrap tankers making the most of effluent

Research suggests that up to 90% of the nutrient value in effluent can be retained if the material is used efficiently, with additional benefits being gained by increasing soil organic matter, leading to improved water holding, aeration and drainage.

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the Italian Eima Event, taking away an innovation award.

Featured

Court decision a win for Southland farmers

Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.

National

Machinery & Products

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the…

New seed drill tech coming

Incorporating Vaderstad's latest seed drill technology, the Proceed V 24, is said to improve precision and increase planting efficiencies for…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Waffle man

OPINION: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sometimes can't escape his own corporate instinct for evasion, and in what should have been…

Banks on notice

OPINION: Shane 'Matua' Jones, crusader against all things woke, including "woke banks", couldn't have scripted it better when his NZ…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter